To drive any vehicle on any public street, you must have liability insurance and either a full registration or a valid movement permit. You must obtain a permit to drive an unregistered vehicle for an emissions test or to the DMV for a VIN inspection if necessary.

In private party sales, the seller is required to keep the license plates. The buyer must use alternate transportation to obtain a movement permit from the DMV.

You must present proof of ownership to obtain a movement permit. Examples include an expired registration or the signed-off title of a vehicle purchased from a private party.

Permits issued to private parties are folded into the size of an index card and taped into the lower right-hand corner of the windshield.

The DMV issues several types of permits depending on the customer's needs. Most permits issued for specific purposes, such as driving for an emissions test, cost $2.00. You may obtain a ten-day permit online.

You may purchase a permit for other uses for a fee of $8.25 per day plus a $1 technology fee.

You also may purchase a special 15-day "drive away" permit for vehicles being driven out of state. These are valid for a one-way trip to a specific destination only.

Nevada auto dealers are required to issue a placard upon the sale of a vehicle. Placards are the size of a license plate and are issued by licensed dealers only.

Ten-Day Permits Online

You may obtain a ten-day movement permit online to drive your vehicle for an emissions test or after repairs. Here are the rules:

The vehicle must have a Nevada registration that is active or expired less than 18 months

Permits are issued only to the registered owner

You must have a MyDMV account and the vehicle listed in it

You may receive only a maximum of 60 days of permits regardless of permit type or how they were issued

Ten-day permits are valid for travel within Nevada only

Permits will not be issued if you canceled your registration or surrendered your plates. You must visit a DMV office.

Permits will not be issued if your registration is suspended or if you have bad debt or a cash-only flag with the DMV

Get started with a MyDMV account. Don't forget, you must have liability insurance to drive a vehicle on any public street.

Out-of-state commercial vehicles are required to obtain a permit to operate in Nevada.

Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 pounds or less must obtain a permit from a DMV office.

Vehicles with a Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,001 pounds or more must obtain a permit from the DMV Motor Carrier Division or an authorized vendor.

Vehicles registered for Nevada under the International Registration Plan (IRP) are exempt. All others must obtain a permit.

Vehicles 10,000 pounds or less

These vehicles must obtain a Non-Resident Business Permit per NRS 482.3961:

A nonresident who:

Is not a natural person;

Is the owner of a vehicle of a type subject to registration; and

Allows that vehicle to be operated in this state by an employee, independent contractor or any other person for the purpose of engaging in the business of the nonresident within this state,

shall, within 10 days after the commencement of such operation, apply for a Nonresident Business Permit for the vehicle.

The Nonresident Business Permit is required for each vehicle operated within the State of Nevada. The permit is not transferable and non-refundable. Businesses must obtain the permit(s) within 10 days of commencement of operations.

The Nonresident Business Permit expires one year from the date of issuance. All applications must be completed in person.

Documents you will need

To apply for the Nonresident Business Permit, you must meet the requirements in three areas:

Current unexpired vehicle registration in the state, country, or other place of which the owner is a resident.

Current unexpired proof of insurance in compliance with laws of the state, country, or other place of which the owner is a resident.

Proof or tested emissions certificate in compliance with the laws of the state, country, or other place of which the owner is a resident.

All documents must be originals. We do not accept a photocopy or scanned copies. Documents with an expiration date must be valid and unexpired.

The vehicles required to get this permit are any motorized vehicle 10,000 pounds or less in weight. If the vehicle weight is over 10,001 please see Motor Carrier Permits or contact Motor Carrier at (775) 684-4711 option 1. Vehicles registered for Nevada under the International Registration Plan are exempt.

All non-motorized vehicles such as trailers, special mobile equipment and towable tools, do not qualify for the Nonresident Business Permit.

Per NRS 482.3961, violators are guilty of a misdemeanor and may be cited by law enforcement or constable. The first offense can be a fine of not more than $500.00. The second offense can be a fine of not more than $750.00. Each vehicle is considered a separate offense.

Nonresident Business Permit Laws

Vehicles 10,001 pounds or more

Vehicles with a Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,001 pounds or more are required to get registration permits before entering the state. Fuel tax permits are required for vehicles 26,001 pounds or more or any vehicle with three or more axles.